sjDANCEco presents World Premiere of "Goddesses and…" - Oct. 14-15

Who: sjDANCEcoWhat: “Goddesses and…”When: Friday, October 14 at 8:00pmSaturday, October 15 at 8:00pm(Pre-performance discussion at 7:30 both nights)Where: The California Theater, 345 South First Street in downtown San Jose, 95113Why: The 2016-2017 season-opening program of sjDANCEco will feature four premieres including the World Premiere of “Goddesses and…” a choreographic collaboration between sjDANCEco Artistic Director Maria Basile, long-time Ballet San Jose Principal Dancer Karen Gabay, and Artistic Associate Rasika Kumar of Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose. Each choreographer will create movement motifs and thematic material that is shared with the other choreographers to create a fusion of three techniques while maintaining the integrity of each dance form. (Modern/Ballet/Bharatanatyam)

Goddesses and…Music: Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass from the “Passages" albumChoreography: Maria Basile, Karen Gabay, and Raska Kumar.World Premiere: In this choreographic collaboration between sjDANCEco Artistic Director Maria Basile, long-time Ballet San Jose Principal Dancer Karen Gabay, and Abhinaya Dance Company Artistic Associate Rasika Kumar, each choreographer creates movement motifs and themes that are shared with the other two choreographers. The material is transformed into three styles and then woven together to create a fusion of the three techniques (Modern, Ballet and Bharatanatyam) while maintaining the integrity of each dance form. It is danced by the three choreographers.

Like Angels Passing Through My RoomMusic: Anica GalindoChoreography: Gary MastersWorld Premiere: sjDANCEco Artistic Director Gary Masters has created a quintet for 2 women and 3 men to a score by Bay Area Composer Anica Galindo. It is inspired by the passing of loved ones, the feeling of a void while at the same time a feeling of a warm and continuous embrace.

Written in Calligraphy: From Heaven to EarthMusic: Eddie & Kiyoshi YoshidaChoreography: Dominic DuongCompany Premiere: It is written in Calligraphy scrolls that the Heavens gave Earth five elements which make up Life: Fire, Water, Metal, Wood and Air. There’s also another element known as the Nether; that of the void, the unknown, and even Death. This work for three men and three women by sjDANCEco Company Dancer Dominic Duong was honored in December 2015 by being chosen for the American Dance Guild’s Festival and performed at the Ailey Center in New York City.

At This MomentMusic: John Dowland (String Quartet)Choreography: Hsiang Hsiu LinWorld Premiere: A look at important moments in our lives

The RiverMusic: Sergio & Odair AssadChoreography: Maria BasileRevival: Company dancer Maria Basile revives her 2009 full company choreography for The River. The River moves predicably and unassumingly. When entered you either move with it willingly or it moves you. The river is a metaphor for life and the choice that we have to yield or resist. Images of struggle, letting go, swimming upstream and frolicking are forthright in Ms. Basile’s choreography complimented by the music of Sergio & Odair Assad.